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Tennessee defensive back Brandon Davis (29) dances with his players in the end zone following their 24-7 victory over Kentucky Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. Michael Patrick/News Sentinel

Tennessee running back Ty Chandler (8) leaps for extra yardage during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee tight end Dominick Wood-Anderson (4) scores a touchdown during second half action in the Kentucky game Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. Michael Patrick/News Sentinel

Tennessee running back Ty Chandler (8) runs past the Kentucky defense during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) is taken down by Tennessee defensive back Baylen Buchanan (28) during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee linebacker Darrell Taylor (19) celebrates with Tennessee linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. (34) after making an interception during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee running back Tim Jordan (9) keeps running as Kentucky safety Darius West (25) tries to tackle him to the ground during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee tight end Dominick Wood-Anderson (4) celebrates after making a touchdown during a game against Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee defensive back Bryce Thompson (20) makes a hard fall after breaking up a pass intended for Kentucky running back Benny Snell Jr. (26) during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Kentucky quarterback Terry Wilson (3) is sacked by Tennessee linebacker Darrell Taylor (19) during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee placekicker Brent Cimaglia (42) celebrates after scoring an extra point during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee defensive back Micah Abernathy (22) celebrates during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) and running back Tim Jordan (9) celebrate after a run play during first half action in the Kentucky game Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. Michael Patrick/News Sentinel

Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) pulls in the pass for the touchdown during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee wide receiver Jordan Murphy (11) is pushed out of bounds by Kentucky safety Mike Edwards (7) during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Kentucky running back Benny Snell Jr. (26) is pursued by Tennessee defensive lineman Shy Tuttle (2) and defensive back Alontae Taylor (6) during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) celebrates after making a touchdown during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) on a throw during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) celebrates after making a touchdown at the end of the second quarter during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt yells at Tennessee offensive lineman Drew Richmond (51) after an altercation on the field between opposing team players during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee linebacker Darrell Taylor (19) reacts after making a play during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) catches a pass and makes a touchdown at the end of the second quarter during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) celebrates a touchdown during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt walks on the sidelines during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Kentucky wide receiver Lynn Bowden Jr. (1) is taken down by Tennessee defensive back Micah Abernathy (22) and Tennessee defensive lineman Kyle Phillips (5) during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Kentucky wide receiver Lynn Bowden Jr. (1) tries to outrun Tennessee linebacker Will Ignont (23) as he tackles him during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Kentucky wide receiver David Bouvier (33) is denied the pass by Tennessee defensive back Theo Jackson (26) during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee running back Ty Chandler (8) is handed the ball by Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) runs down the field as Kentucky safety Tyrell Ajian (23) defends during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee running back Tim Jordan (9) dives for extra yardage during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee offensive lineman Drew Richmond (51) is held back by a referee during first half action in the Kentucky game Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. Michael Patrick/News Sentinel

Tennessee placekicker Brent Cimaglia (42) is congratulated by punter Joe Doyle (47) after Cimaglia hit a field goal during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) looks for an open receiver during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee running back Ty Chandler (8) looks for a way through the Kentucky defense during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

A pass to Tennessee tight end Dominick Wood-Anderson (4) falls incomplete during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee defensive lineman Kyle Phillips (5) celebrates after making a tackle during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) on the kick-off return during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee running back Ty Chandler (8) gets the handoff and looks for a way through the Kentucky defense during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

**DUP** Tennessee linebacker Daniel Bituli (35) celebrates after a play during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) looks for an open receiver during the game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Michael Patrick/News Sentinel

Tennessee tight end Eli Wolf (80) makes the catch near the end zone during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Michael Patrick/News Sentinel

Tennessee running back Ty Chandler (8) is tackled by Kentucky linebacker Kash Daniel (56) during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Michael Patrick/News Sentinel

Tennessee running back Ty Chandler (8) tries to get through the Kentucky defense during a game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, November 10, 2018. Michael Patrick/News Sentinel

Tennessee quarterback Keller Chryst (19) and running back Madre London (31) warm up before the start of the game against Kentucky on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. Saul Young/News Sentinel

Several of Bituli's teammates backed his play with their own exploits. Outside linebacker Darrell Taylor, for example, had seven tackles, four sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. His strip sack of Kentucky quarterback Terry Wilson and subsequent recovery at Tennessee's 36 with 9:33 left effectively ended the Wildcats' chances.

"Darrell's a dog, man; he's a dog," Bituli said. "We see it in practices. He's a leader. He's always encouraging guys. To be seen during the game, it's heartwarming."

Safety Micah Abernathy returned from an ankle injury to record seven tackles. It was his first game since Sept. 29 at Georgia.

"It took a lot of work and a lot of treatment," Abernathy said of his comeback. "It was hard mentally and physically. I'm happy with where I am."

The defense, as a whole, is more content after a second consecutive strong performance. The unit has recovered nicely since surrendering for 224 rushing yards against South Carolina on Oct. 27 and essentially collapsing in the second half of the 27-24 loss.

“I think as a defense, the South Carolina game, it was a bad one for us," Taylor said. "We made sure we put our foot down. The last two weeks, we were like, we are not letting it happen again. We need to step up more. The offense was doing their thing in the South Carolina game. We didn’t hold up our end of the bargain. We got in a room together as a defense and said we need to get this corrected and that’s what we did.”

UT coach Jeremy Pruitt challenged the Vols to outrush the Wildcats. The defense did its part, holding the Wildcats to 77 yards, nearly 123 short of their season average, and 2.2 yards per carry. Snell had 81 yards but wasn't much of a factor, not like Bituli remembered anyway.

“The game plan was to stop the run and make sure we don’t let them run the ball on us as many times as they did in previous games," Taylor said. "We watched film and made sure we studied film of everything they did, so we could stop the run. That’s what we did.”